Ventilation Hood Options for Your Kitchen

by Rachel Lyon, Editorial Director for Direct from the Designers

Kitchen ventilation is more important than many homeowners realize. The hood over your range or cooktop pulls away steam and smoke before they can dissipate throughout the house. That means the hood removes excess moisture, soot, grease, and cooking odors that would otherwise stick around and settle on surfaces. If you don’t want to have to clean more than necessary or deal with lingering smells, it's a good idea to invest in kitchen ventilation that addresses the cause at the source.

But what kind of hood is right for you? It depends on your cooking style as well as the size and layout of your kitchen. Here’s how the five major types compare!

Over-the-Range Microwave Hoods

When kitchen space is at a premium, many people choose to prioritize countertop space and move the microwave into the cabinetry. Placing it over the range offers two functionalities for the space of one, because the underside can house a vent fan to perform the duties of a regular hood! You’ll find a lot of variation in this category between the features of the microwave and the vent fan, so make sure to explore all the options and consider the height and breadth of the unit as well as the features that make the most sense for how you use your kitchen.

One thing to keep in mind about over-the-range microwave hoods is that they are a ductless solution—that is, they capture steam and smoke and then recirculate the air back into the kitchen after it’s gone through a filter. This setup is ideal for many because you don’t have to worry about the layout of your kitchen to install vents to the outside, but ductless hoods are less powerful. If you like to cook up a storm, it’s a good idea to choose any of the other types of hoods, which can be ducted or recirculating. Many even give you the choice within the same product!

Under-Cabinet Hoods

Don’t need a big, flashy hood? An under-cabinet hood takes up the least amount of space of all the updraft varieties. They are especially common in small kitchens where cabinet storage space needs to be preserved, but you’ll also find them in larger kitchens. Homeowners who want to draw attention to other features in their designs often select under-cabinet hoods because they are unobtrusive and can even be hidden completely on the underside of cabinetry in some cases.

Wall-Mount Hoods

If you want your hood to stand out a bit more and your range or cooktop sits against the wall, consider a wall-mount hood. They come in a variety of traditional and modern styles and typically fill space from the capture area up to the ceiling. Once you get into this category, you can find extended sizes and more powerful ventilation—which is exactly what you need for the larger, commercial-style appliances that are so popular these days. This more prominent type of hood comes at the expense of cabinet space, of course—that’s why wall-mounted hoods are seen most often in larger kitchens. There are still compact models to match smaller ranges, though!

Ceiling-Mount Hoods

Also known as island-mount hoods, ceiling-mount hoods are made for islands and peninsulas where you can’t affix ventilation to cabinetry or the wall. They also come in extended sizes, and it’s a good idea to select a model wider than your range; without the solid border of the wall, steam and smoke can escape in all directions. A wider canopy helps mitigate this concern, as does a more powerful fan. That’s why you’ll often see higher-than-standard cubic feet per minute (CFM) ratings in this category.

Downdraft Hoods

Perhaps updraft ventilation doesn’t do it for you? Some people want completely clear sightlines across their kitchens, and this is where downdraft ventilation shines. Rather than sucking steam and smoke up from above, downdraft hoods pull it down. This goes against the natural movement of hot air, so these models have stronger fans to compensate. There are two main types of downdraft ventilation—some are designed to pull air down into the level of the countertop and others have a telescoping design that comes out of the countertop only when you need to use it. Downdraft ventilation is only compatible with cooktops (not ranges) due to the mechanical components underneath—you can even purchase a downdraft cooktop that includes its own built-in ventilation!

Take a look at Whirlpool®, KitchenAid®, and JennAir® if you’re in the market for great kitchen appliances including ventilation hoods! You’ll find all major types across these brands, so you’re sure to find a solution whether you need ductless or ducted installation and a low-profile or high-impact design. Feel free to reach out to their customer care teams if you could use some help selecting the perfect ventilation for your kitchen!